Press Releases

New Medical Teams International regional headquarters to be named in honor of longtime volunteers Mike and Kathy Holmgren

by
Lee Keller | Dec 05, 2013

REDMOND, WA, June 18, 2010 – Medical Teams International today announced its new Washington state regional headquarters, currently in the design and construction phase, will be officially named the Medical Teams International Mike and Kathy Holmgren Center in honor of longtime volunteers and former Seahawks Head Coach Mike Holmgren and his wife Kathy.

“We are grateful for Mike and Kathy Holmgren’s tireless enthusiasm around helping those in need through Medical Teams International and we are proud to announce our new regional headquarters will be named in their honor,” said Linda Ranz, vice president of development for Medical Teams International.

“This is truly a remarkable honor,” said Mike Holmgren. “We are thankful for the opportunities we’ve had through Medical Teams International to help less fortunate people all over the world, but as honored as we are by this recognition, we are no different than the thousands of other MTI volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the years to help others.”

Medical Teams International has shipped $1.3 billion in aid since 1986. The organization sent $182 million in medical-related supplies globally this year. The new 21,346 square-foot building, which will be renovated over the next six months will include office space, an onsite warehouse for medical supplies and a walk-through, multi-sensory exhibit that allows people to experience what “real life” is like for children and their families affected by disaster, conflict and poverty.

“With this new building we will have a much larger and more permanent physical presence in Washington state that will help us expand our programs and extend our reach even further throughout the world,” said Ranz.

Kathy Holmgren, a nurse, has travelled extensively on several disaster relief teams for Medical Teams throughout Mexico, Romania, Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Her daughter, Dr. Calla Holmgren, a physician from Salt Lake City, Utah, accompanied her on the trips to Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

In 2009, Kathy returned to Mexico. On this trip, her husband Mike Holmgren accompanied Kathy on his first Medical Teams International relief mission. In addition to the time the Holmgrens have spent on relief missions, they have also supported Medical Teams International in many other ways. As head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Holmgren helped organize multiple game-day fundraisers that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Medical Teams International’s disaster relief efforts.

In recent years, the Holmgrens have also been actively involved in Medical Teams International’s annual Field of Dreams Auction, held in June at Safeco Field in Seattle.

For more information on the new Medical Teams International Mike and Kathy Holmgren Center, please contact Lee Keller at (206) 799-3805 or lee@thekellergroup.com.